How to pronounce nativity
Say it like nuh-TIV-uh-tee. Nativity has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TIV).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce nativity. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- nuh
- TIV
- uh
- tee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Nativity pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- nuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- TIVSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- teeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of nativity
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: nuh-TIV-ih-tee.
What does nativity mean?
- Someone's birth; the place, time and circumstances of a birth.
- Someone's birth considered as a means of astrology; a horoscope associated with a person's birth.
- The birth of Jesus.
Where does nativity come from?
From Middle English nativite, from Anglo-Norman nativite, Middle French nativite, and their source, Latin nātīvitās (“birth”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with nativity
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of nativity.
- activity
- productivity
- creativity
- captivity
- negativity
- relativity
- conductivity
- reactivity
- selectivity
- insensitivity
Questions about saying nativity
How do you pronounce nativity?
Say nuh-TIV-uh-tee. The American pronunciation is /nəˈtɪvəti/. In British English it is /nəˈtɪvɪti/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in nativity?
Nativity has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TIV). Broken into parts: nuh · TIV · uh · tee.
Is nativity pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t. The British form is /nəˈtɪvɪti/ (nuh-TIV-ih-tee).